petrol smell issue need help
Discussion
Hi All. Can anyone help with a problem on my Tuscan MK2s. any ideas are most welcome.
Problem
Open the boot and there is a strong smell of petrol. It has been like this for a long time and it’s been to a TVR specialist several times on this issue the filler neck has been replaced, the fuel tank has just been replaced and the system pressure tested. There is no leak. does not matter the tank is 1/2 full or full hot or cold the smell is still present if the car is left standing in the garage for a couple of days the smell is very strong.
The overflow behind the front wheel is OK and so is the carbon filter. And I’m told the solenoid valve is working correctly. Finally there is no smell inside the car at any time not even from the valve behind the passenger seat.
Yesterday I collected my TVR from my local garage and they have told me they are stumped they admit they don’t know what the problem is and have no idea how to proceed.
So I'm asking for help and any ideas or suggestions as to what might be causing this problem off course the other question is how safe is it with all this build up of fumes in the boot.
Thanks Guys
Problem
Open the boot and there is a strong smell of petrol. It has been like this for a long time and it’s been to a TVR specialist several times on this issue the filler neck has been replaced, the fuel tank has just been replaced and the system pressure tested. There is no leak. does not matter the tank is 1/2 full or full hot or cold the smell is still present if the car is left standing in the garage for a couple of days the smell is very strong.
The overflow behind the front wheel is OK and so is the carbon filter. And I’m told the solenoid valve is working correctly. Finally there is no smell inside the car at any time not even from the valve behind the passenger seat.
Yesterday I collected my TVR from my local garage and they have told me they are stumped they admit they don’t know what the problem is and have no idea how to proceed.
So I'm asking for help and any ideas or suggestions as to what might be causing this problem off course the other question is how safe is it with all this build up of fumes in the boot.
Thanks Guys
Hi Dave,
Not taking the p*ss... make sure you have a fire extinguisher in the cabin.
You could well save the car, if not yourself.
My Cerbs fuel line split near the rear of the car during warm-up; luckily I’d forgotten something indoors, was getting out of the car and jumped into a very wide half inch puddle of petrol.
Took far too long for me to register what it was and it was p*ssing all over the exhaust – thank god they were cold and I’d forgotten something.
Good luck with the investigation.
D.
Not taking the p*ss... make sure you have a fire extinguisher in the cabin.
You could well save the car, if not yourself.
My Cerbs fuel line split near the rear of the car during warm-up; luckily I’d forgotten something indoors, was getting out of the car and jumped into a very wide half inch puddle of petrol.
Took far too long for me to register what it was and it was p*ssing all over the exhaust – thank god they were cold and I’d forgotten something.
Good luck with the investigation.
D.
Thanks Guys
The extinguisher is always close to hand. (lol). Re the carpet I have owned the car from new and one of the first things to go wrong was we had a leak in the filler neck seam. And petrol poured into the boot. This was replaced and re-sealed and the carpets in the boot have also been replaced because the petrol melted the glue it was a right mess. This was 3 years ago. This joint and weld have been re checked at least twice since being fixed and I've been told its sound. next the fuel tank was replaced (unnecessarily it now turns out)and it took ages to get hold of a new fuel tank due to the demise of TVR. So today the problem still exists and we are still trying to find the cause. I have laid in the boot and sniffed every inch of carpet (I know I need to get out more) the strange thing is if I open the boot for a few minutes until the strong petrol fume smell disipate then close the boot and go for a drive say couple of hours open the boot and there will be no smell. Leave it overnight the petrol fumes are back. It’s reasonable to say the petrol fume smell is a fairly constant although some times it’s slightly stronger than others. We have No leaking pipes and no wet carpets.
Thanks for your thoughts
Cheers Dave
The extinguisher is always close to hand. (lol). Re the carpet I have owned the car from new and one of the first things to go wrong was we had a leak in the filler neck seam. And petrol poured into the boot. This was replaced and re-sealed and the carpets in the boot have also been replaced because the petrol melted the glue it was a right mess. This was 3 years ago. This joint and weld have been re checked at least twice since being fixed and I've been told its sound. next the fuel tank was replaced (unnecessarily it now turns out)and it took ages to get hold of a new fuel tank due to the demise of TVR. So today the problem still exists and we are still trying to find the cause. I have laid in the boot and sniffed every inch of carpet (I know I need to get out more) the strange thing is if I open the boot for a few minutes until the strong petrol fume smell disipate then close the boot and go for a drive say couple of hours open the boot and there will be no smell. Leave it overnight the petrol fumes are back. It’s reasonable to say the petrol fume smell is a fairly constant although some times it’s slightly stronger than others. We have No leaking pipes and no wet carpets.
Thanks for your thoughts
Cheers Dave
Edited by dti-dave on Thursday 29th May 22:56
could it possibly be the seal on the filler cap not being a proper air tight fit? coming back from a run,the car will be warm,petrol vapour expanding through poorly fitting rubber gasket,hit's cold(er)air in boot area,as the vapour gets cooler,maybe it condenses and gets heavy and sits on the floor of the boot? gets cleared when you take it out for a blast?
just a thought?
just a thought?
Its got to be venting somewhere from the filler system when cold and when you take it for a drive the difference in pressures between outside and the boot area is dragging it out through gaps in the body work.Then the process starts again.I think the only way forward is to get all resealed again by perhaps someone different
good luck
Paul
good luck
Paul
Thanks Guys
Tanks for all the latest suggestions and ideas. Re filler cap we are on the 3rd cap in 3 years the current cap has been pressure tested and can confirm that there are is no leakage path.
The vent pipe we originally discounted because there has never been any petrol smells inside the car. Which we thought there would be given its location. Your idea is good and there may be an issue with the crimp so we will strip it down and check again.
The sensor seal is not the problem it was an issue on pre 99 cars the rubber was no good. I have had a new fuel tank fitted this year the whole tank plus neck and cap have been pressure tested no leaks.
Thanks again guys any idea is helpful
Cheers Dave
Tanks for all the latest suggestions and ideas. Re filler cap we are on the 3rd cap in 3 years the current cap has been pressure tested and can confirm that there are is no leakage path.
The vent pipe we originally discounted because there has never been any petrol smells inside the car. Which we thought there would be given its location. Your idea is good and there may be an issue with the crimp so we will strip it down and check again.
The sensor seal is not the problem it was an issue on pre 99 cars the rubber was no good. I have had a new fuel tank fitted this year the whole tank plus neck and cap have been pressure tested no leaks.
Thanks again guys any idea is helpful
Cheers Dave
Edited by dti-dave on Friday 30th May 10:53
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